16. Epilogue

Jacqueline stood in front of the full length mirror of her palace suite dressed in her trousers, shirt, and vest, smoothing her hair back into Jacques' usual horsetail. A knock on the door caused her to smile at her reflection. "Come in, d'Artagnan."

He came in with a grin on his face, but it faded when he saw her outfit. "Jacqueline, remember last night? You don't have to pretend anymore."

She turned to face him. "I know, but it's hard to go back after so long. Besides, after seeing the look on Captain Duval's face last night, I think it would be best to face him as 'Jacques' today." With each of these words, she stepped closer, planting a quick kiss on his lips at the end.

D'Artagnan looked down at her beaming face. "Face Duval?" he inquired, eyebrow raised.

"Well," she said, brushing invisible dust off of his jacket, "I'll have to convince him to let me stay in the garrison. The way I see it, very few people know that I am 'Jacques LePonte.' Therefore, I could continue in the Musketeers for awhile. You did say you wanted us to stay close." She looked up at him happily.

"Yes, but I meant I would resign and take you to my estate to get married, not live in the garrison," he protested, a little dazed at her plans. He had thought everything had been settled the previous night.

"I couldn't do that to Duval, take away his best Musketeer," Jacqueline cooed, finally able to use her womanly charm openly on d'Artagnan. "Besides, I am still able to fight for King and country; there are plenty of villainous plots to thwart other than Mazarin's."

She moved over to her bed to pick up the grey jacket she had laid out on it. D'Artagnan woke from his trance enough to take the coat from her hands and hold it up for her to put on. Jacqueline continued as she slid her arms in the sleeves, buttoning the jacket up, "I can spend another year or two in the corps with Duval's blessing. Then we can go off, get married, and all that." She turned to face him.

"That sounds like it would work," d'Artagnan mused, "but wouldn't you rather get hitched sooner and start a family?" He picked up her hand and kissed it, emotion filled eyes staring deep into her own.

Jacqueline steeled herself against the sweet look he gave her. If she couldn't fight this off now, she would never be able to resist him in the future. "Can't I have you to myself for a little bit longer?" she said softly, gazing at him serenely. She really meant it.

The pair looked deep into each other. D'Artagnan thought briefly before answering, "I love you, Jacqueline. Whatever you want, I can wait." She was too precious to him; saying no would only drive her away. He could finally be with her, and that was all that mattered.

Jacqueline kissed him exuberantly. "Thank you," she whispered against his lips. She grabbed her baldric off the chair. "Let's get to it, then."

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Jacqueline paced in front of Duval's office door. D'Artagnan watched from a short distance, the smirk on his face showing amusement.

"Captain Duval, I am sorry about the lies; they were necessary to save my brother… No, that's not right… Sir, I wish to request to retain my commission in the Musketeers. No," she spun on her heel for another lap.

"That sounds fine; why don't you just go in now?" d'Artagnan soothed. She had spent the last half hour pacing, and he grew tired of listening to her speeches.

"Not helping, d'Artagnan," she pointed an accusatory finger at him as she walked by.

"Get in here, LePonte. I can hear you," called a gruff voice from the other side of the door. D'Artagnan let out a loud chuckle, and Jacqueline froze, staring at the door like it had grown a head.

"The Captain's waiting…" d'Artagnan strode over to open the door, ushering in the stunned Jacqueline.

Duval sat behind his desk, palms together in front of his chin. "I heard every word you said, Le—ahem—Jacqueline. I hate to give up my best two Musketeers, but I can't say this plan of yours will work."

"Please, sir," Jacqueline begged, moving further into the room, "I don't want to give up just because a few more people know my secret. I can do more good here than in some seaside cottage. Let me stay for another year, at least. Haven't I proved myself, yet?"

"It's not a matter of proving yourself, Jacqueline." Duval struggled to pick out the right words. "I and the others understand your… special circumstances. Nevertheless, we cannot allow your story to escape this little circle of trust. The outside world is not as accepting; our enemies could use you as a sign of France's weakness or the Musketeer's weakness. If someone knows your secret, they could use it against me or d'Artagnan, Ramon, Siroc."

Jacqueline crossed over behind his desk, kneeling beside a surprised Duval. "Captain, let me do this; you will not regret it. You had faith in Jacques—now put your faith in Jacqueline." She bowed her head.

Duval looked up at d'Artagnan who gave an imperceptible nod; he would support his fiancé's request. "All right," the Captain said, "you can stay if you abide by my terms." Jacqueline looked up, eyes shining with unspilled tears. "For God's sake, Private, stand at attention and receive your Captain's orders," he barked.

Jacqueline moved to obey; standing in front of his desk, she replied, "Sir!"

"First off, you will be known as 'Jacques LePonte' whenever you are in uniform. No other Musketeers may know your true identity, or you are out. Secondly," for this Duval shifted his gaze to d'Artagnan, "he is not allowed to be in your room at any time and vice versa. I won't have any of that in my garrison! You will go—in women's clothing—across town if you wish to enjoy each other's company. Thirdly, don't expect any special favors; you are just another Musketeer to me as soon as you leave this room. Do I make myself clear?"

Jacqueline wiped a tear from her eye. "Crystal, sir." She ran forward to give Duval a fierce hug. He patted her back awkwardly and shot d'Artagnan a questioning look over her shoulder. D'Artagnan shrugged back and mouthed, 'Women.'

Jacqueline crossed back over to d'Artagnan and took his hand, staring into his eyes in happiness. Duval cleared his throat. The pair turned to look at him. He inclined his head to point out their joined hands, and they released each other immediately with sheepish grins.

D'Artagnan opened the door for Jacqueline to exit first. Before he shut it, he stuck his head back in. "Thank you, Captain, for everything."

"Don't disappoint me, Private," was his gruff reply.

D'Artagnan knew it was his way of saying, "You're welcome."